A Beijing official asserted on Wednesday that Ukraine’s assertion regarding a considerable number of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia is “completely unfounded.” This statement comes as the U.S. seeks a ceasefire amidst the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over three years.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that two Chinese individuals had been captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, suggesting that many more are engaged with them.
This claim marks the first instance where Ukraine has reported the involvement of Chinese fighters in the conflict.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has been a staunch diplomatic supporter of Russia, with Western officials accusing it of supplying machinery and microelectronics for manufacturing weapons. However, it’s noted that China has not knowingly provided troops or military expertise to Russia.
The U.S. has accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, while officials from the U.S. and South Korea claim North Korea has dispatched troops and ammunition to support Russian operations.
With the U.S. and Europe offering significant military and diplomatic backing to Ukraine, the situation has evolved into a contest of influence between global power blocs. Reports from U.S. officials indicate that China is enabling Russia’s war efforts significantly, with nearly 80% of the dual-use goods required by Russia sourced from China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the government has consistently urged its citizens to stay out of conflict zones and avoid military engagement. His comments imply that the captured Chinese nationals may have chosen to join Russian forces independently, considering both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign recruits.
Recently, Ukraine has encountered severe drone attacks, including a significant one on Kramatorsk, which injured multiple civilians. The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides preparing for further military actions, alongside ongoing long-range strikes along the nearly 1,000-kilometer front line.
AP reporters contributed to this report, and further updates on the Ukraine conflict can be followed at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
